The Oxford Dictionary defines 'patience' as the ability to stay calm and accept a delay or something annoying without complaining.
The patience of Manchester United fans has been tested over and over again this season. It has been yet another futile campaign. United's challenge for the Premier League title never began and they find themselves out of all cup competitions in March. That's not what supporters pay their hard-earned money for season tickets for. They expect more from their club than insufferable mediocrity.
Ralf Rangnick will leave his interim position at the end of the season and United's search for a new permanent manager is now well underway. Erik ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique, Julen Lopetegui and Thomas Tuchel are all admired at Old Trafford and Ten Hag interviewed for the position earlier this week. Club sources have indicated they are open to all candidates at this stage.
ALSO READ: Why Manchester United loanee Amad isn't playing for Rangers.
Whoever does end up succeeding Rangnick, regardless of their previous achievements, should be prepared for the biggest challenge in their career. United are a colossus that's hopelessly drifting without any purpose or direction. The next manager to arrive at the club will have the responsibility of transforming United and the enormity of that task shouldn't be underestimated.
United have chased immediate success over the last few years with reactionary decisions. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's honeymoon period was sensational, it should have been viewed in isolation as just that. Solskjaer was handed the permanent position instead and he was unqualified for the role. There has been an understandable eagerness to secure trophies but it's been counter-productive.
Jose Mourinho remains the most successful coach to have managed United since 2013. Mourinho won the League Cup and Europa League but left the club as a dysfunctional mess. Some fans would argue Solskjaer did the same just without the silverware.
The identity of the club has been lost in the rush to win a trophy. United demand success, competing for silverware is etched into the club's fabric but it's ironic the rush for major honours has backfired. Short-term targets have been given priority over long-term health and it's time for a change in approach. That means United fans will have to accept an uncomfortable and uneasy truth.
It hasn't been easy to follow United's decline over the last decade while rivals Manchester City and Liverpool have asserted their dominance in the Premier League, however, there's a lesson to be learnt from their respective achievements. Both clubs' supporters have had to exercise patience to get to where they are now. Their success certainly hasn't been overnight.
United's most fierce rivals have had great expertise at boardroom level, which has allowed them to implement a long-term vision. City were planning for Pep Guardiola's arrival well before he agreed to swap Munich for Manchester and Brendan Rodgers walked so Jurgen Klopp could run. It is no coincidence that both clubs are now the world's best, but patience has been needed to get there.
Arsenal fans are another set of supporters that seem to be in the process of being rewarded for their patience. Their decline from Arsene Wenger's best years was more spectacular than United's yet they're now on an upward curve. Mikel Arteta has been handed an abundance of trust, time and power, and the feel-good factor is back. Arsenal look set to finish above United.
The uncomfortable truth is: United fans might have to accept one or two transitional seasons to restore success. United fans can take solace in Liverpool going 30 years without winning the Premier League. United have waited almost a decade but accepting a transitional period now should bear fruit in the more immediate future. It could take less than five years if they get it right.
You wouldn't blame supporters for being wary of displaying patience. The custodians of United have often taken the supporters for granted and the trust from fans in the way the club is run was shattered long ago. That needs to be built again.
United fans should be open to short term sacrifice if there is a somewhat guarantee of long-term success. The latter part of that deal relies on the club getting it right.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
